The One Symptom GI Docs Are Begging You to Never, Ever Ignore

Ashley Broadwater
·4-min read

When it comes to concerning gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, the list is far from short. Prepare yourself for this gross list: rectal bleeding, bloody stool, vomiting, a change in bowel habits and more.

When those arise, you probably go straight to the doctor's office (we hope!), hit up a pharmacy for some medicine or—most relatably—ask "Dr. Google" for insights.

There's another symptom that a GI doc implores people to not ignore. While it's not always that big of a deal, it can be life-threatening, at the very worst end of the spectrum.

The Symptom to Never, Ever Ignore, According to Gastroenterologists

The symptom actually seems fairly benign: Abdominal pain.

"Abdominal pain has many causes; some of them can be very serious and even life-threatening and might require urgent or emergent treatment," says Dr. Qin Rao, MD, a gastroenterologist at Manhattan Gastroenterology.

If you go to the doctor for this pain, you're in good company, unfortunately: Between five percent and 10% of people who go to the emergency room (ER) do so for abdominal pain—which means it's one of the most common reasons for an ER visit.

Causes of Abdominal Pain That Are Especially Serious

Ahead, Dr. Rao shares a non-exhaustive list of potential causes of abdominal pain. The conditions' other symptoms—that is, besides general abdominal pain—are bulleted under each.

Note that many of these medical issues are similar in symptoms. This emphasizes the importance of paying attention to your body and getting a diagnosis from a medical provider.

Appendicitis

  • Sudden pain that starts on the right side of the lower belly or around the belly button

  • Pain that worsens with coughing or movement

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Loss of appetite

  • Low-grade fever

  • Constipation or diarrhea

  • Stomach bloating or gas

Related: The 2 Most Important Things Your Farts Reveal About Your Health, According to GI Docs

Diverticulitis

  • Pain in the lower left abdomen

  • Pain that’s sudden and intense, or pain that may start mild and gradually worsen, or pain that varies over time

  • Nausea

  • Fever

  • Abdomen tenderness

  • Sudden diarrhea or constipation

Peptic ulcer

  • No symptoms

  • Pain that's dull or burning

  • Pain that may be worse between meals, after eating or at night

  • Bloating or belching

  • Heartburn

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting blood

  • Dark blood in stools

  • Dizziness or fainting

Perforation

  • Severe abdominal pain or cramping

  • Bloating or a swollen abdomen

  • Fever or chills

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Pain or tenderness when touching your abdomen

Related: I'm Not Pregnant or Hungover—So Why Am I Nauseous?

Mesenteric ischemia (also called a bowel infarction, or lack of blood flow to small intestine)

  • Diarrhea or constipation

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Gas

  • Rectal bleeding

  • Low blood pressure

  • Severe infection

  • Shock

Obstruction

  • Vomiting

  • Feelings of fullness or swelling in the belly

  • Loud sounds from your belly

  • Feeling gassy, but being unable to pass gas

  • Constipation

Volvulus (when a section of the bowels gets twisted)

  • Abdominal distension

  • Vomiting

  • Constipation

  • Bloody stools

Gallstones

  • Sweating

  • Fever

  • Fast heart rate

  • Abdominal swelling and tenderness

  • Yellow tint in skin and eyes

  • Dark-colored pee and light-colored poop

Stomach cancer

  • Trouble swallowing

  • Feeling bloated after eating

  • Feeling full after eating even small amounts of food

  • Not feeling hungry when you would expect to be hungry

  • Heartburn

  • Indigestion

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Losing weight without trying

  • Feeling very tired

  • Very dark stools that appear almost black

Intussusception (when part of the intestine slides inside an adjacent part)

  • Alternating episodes of severe, crampy abdominal pain followed by periods of no pain

  • Swollen belly

  • Nausea and vomiting (the vomit may be a yellow-green color)

  • Red, jelly-like stools, or bloody poop from rectal bleeding

Related: Is It Normal to Get Sharp Pains in Your Stomach? Here’s What GI Docs Say

When to See a Doctor About Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain accompanied by fever, chills, weight loss, dizziness or chest pain are common reasons for seeing a doctor immediately, according to Dr. Rao. He also urges seeing a healthcare professional if your pain is getting worse in intensity or doesn't go away.

The Dangers of Ignoring Abdominal Pain

Ignoring abdominal pain can be so easy, and yet, it may not always be in your best interest.

"The danger of ignoring abdominal pain is that if it is due to a serious cause, it can lead to complications such as perforation, infection or bleeding, progressing to a process called shock that can be life-threatening," Dr. Rao says.

Is stomach pain always this serious? No. But generally speaking, it's better to be safe than sorry—especially when your health and life are on the line.

Up Next:

Related: This Is the One Thing G.I. Docs Wish Everyone Knew About Leaky Gut

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